WEEI and Texas Rangers GM State Mike Lowell Deal May Be a "Bit Overstated"

Don't back up the moving van quite yet, Mr. and Mrs. Lowell, and don't jump off that bridge, Red Sox Nation. According to a story by Alex Speier posted on the WEEI.com Web site Wednesday, reports of the Red Sox trade of Mike Lowell to the Texas Rangers may be a "little bit overstated."

In a story posted just moments ago, Speier writes, "Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels discussed the status of the trade with the Red Sox that would send Mike Lowell and cash ($8-9 million) to Texas in exchange for catcher/first baseman/DH prospect Max Ramirez, who is currently leading the Venezuelan Winter League with 11 homers."

Reports coming out on a variety of media outlets have stated that it's nearly a done deal, while both Speier and Daniels state otherwise. Speier is currently in Indianapolis covering the Baseball Winter Meetings for WEEI Radio.

"Daniels acknowledged that the two clubs have an understanding of where negotiations stand, but that it wasn’t a done deal as both teams review additional pieces of information."

“Some of the reports of how close it is,” said Daniels, “might be a little bit overstated.”

Speier continues, "Presumably, that includes the decision on the part of Sox ownership to pay a healthy chunk of Lowell’s salary, as well as the Rangers’ need to review Lowell’s medical records."

Here is a transcript of Daniels’ remarks:

“Both clubs understand where the other one is and what we’re looking to do. At the same time, we’re also both looking at alternatives and what our options are as we kind of go through the process.

“I don’t really have anything specific to give you guys, but I think some of the reports of how close it is might be a little bit overstated.”

What are the specific obstacles to complete the deal?

“I think there is always different layers to these things, but both clubs are kind of evaluating. I think the general parameters are understood, but both clubs need to decide whether it’s the right fit.”

Any chance of Lowell taking a physical before the deal is done?

“Premature for me to say that.”

How long will it take to decide?

“I don’t know; I don’t want to put a time-table on it.”

Reports on the Sox’ contribution to Lowell’s salary have ranged from $6 million to his entire ($12 million) 2010 salary.

“There’s a financial component to it, but I’m not going to address that specifically...I’ll just say that the general parameters of the deal are relatively understood. Both clubs know what’s on the table, and we’ll continue to talk here and work through it.”

Are medicals a holdup?

“We’re not at that stage. But in any deal, a review of the medicals is part of it.

“As Boston has, there’s a lot of moving parts. Sometimes it’s beneficial to take a half-step back and evaluate things.”

Is one team or another as further down the road?

“Both clubs are looking at it.”

The previous interview is excerpted from a story written by Alex Speier on WEEI.com and is not the original work of freelance writer Todd Civin.